Ski binding



Dec., 8, y

w. F. REACH SKI BINDING Filed Aug. 6, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 8,1925. 1,565,106

W. F. REACH SKI BINDING Filed Aue.. 6. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

UNITED` STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. REACI-I, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO A. G.. SPALD- ING & BROS., 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

SKI BINDING.

Application filed August 6, 1925. Serial No. 48,610.

T0 all cl2/1.0m t may Concern:

Be it known thatI, WILLIAM F. REACH, a citizen of the United States,and resident of Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and use Improvements in Ski Bindings, of which the following is a specilication. i j

In the use of skis, the more expert skiers prefer to use a rigid type of binding, or means for connecting the foot to the ski,

but for beginners it is desirable to have a hinged connection in that there is much less likelihood of a broken or strained foot during a fall.

I-Ieretofore, so far as I am aware, it has been customary to manufacture these as separate types, the hinged type for beginners and the rigid type for those proficient in their use.'

The present invention aims to provide a construction which will be convertible readily to either type, will be simple in construction, and strong and durable in use.

With these and other objects in view, which will hereinafter appear, the invention includes the novel features of construction and arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described, the precise nature andv scope of my invention being defined and ascertained by the claims appended hereto.

l/Vhat I at present consider the preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a ski partly broken away, with my improved binding or foot securing means applied thereto, with the parts in rigid position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, with the parts adjusted to hinged position and partly broken away.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4--4 of Fig. 8.

Referring by reference characters to these drawings, the numeral l designates the ski runner which, as it may be of the ordinary or any desired construction, is shown conventionally and broken away at each end. Secured to the upper face of the ski is a plate member 2, preferably by means of depending ears 2a embracing opposite edges of the ski runner and secured thereto by means such as wood screws 3. This plate has a central forward extension or reduced end provided with a series of parallel eyes 2b, 2C, 2d. Superimposed on the plate 2 is a toe plate 4 which has .extended sides forming a pair of forwardly projecting portions la to embrace the central eyes 2b, 2C.

The two parallel pintle receiving eyes 2b, 2@ are adapted to interchangeably receive the hinge pin 5 which connects the toe plate 4 to the base plate 2.

The toe plate 4 carries brackets le for receiving the customary toe straps.

The bed plate 2 has grooved lugs or ears 2e which, when the toe plate is in its rearmost position as shown in Fig. l, with the hinge pintle lying in the pintle eyes 2b and 4, engage the rear portions of the edges of the toe plate and hold the same against upward movement and hence locked to the ski, whereby a rigid toe plate is secured. If, however, the hinge pintle 5 is removed and the toe plate slid forward to align the eyes 2"1 and eta and the pintle again inserted the rear edges of the toe plate will be disengaged from the lugs 2e and upward hinging of the toe plate permitted.

i It is desirable that the toe plate shall be resiliently held against the bed plate and to this end I provide a pin 6 in the eye 2d having its ends projecting on either side thereof, and encircled by the helical coiled springs 7um preferably connected by a loop member 7 which overlies the upper face of the ski andv resists turning action of the coils. These springs are provided with spring arms 7b which extend rearwardly and` overlie the toe plate within the clips, and serve to hold the toe plate resiliently or yieldingly pressed down on the bed plate.

Preferably the spring arms are so arranged that they overlie the ends of the hinge pin 5 and serve to hold it in place. When Vit is desired to remove the hinge pin it is only necessary to lift up the spring ends and swing them outside of the clips 4e, whereupon the pin 5 may be removed, the toe plate adjusted, the pin 5 reinserted, and the spring ends replaced in pin holding position.

A sole Contact member 8 of suitable material, has its forward end riveted to the toe plate while its rear end carries the usual harness or attaching straps 9 and 10, which for convenience of illustration are shown broken away.

Any suitable means may be provided for holding the spring coils in position on thej projecting ends of the pin 6, and the latter in position in tlieveye 2d. The cotter pin 6 serve as a convenient means for both purposes and permit ready assembly.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a ski binding, a base plate having a toe platepivotally connected therewith, and means for locking saidtoe plate againstany pivotal movement.

2. YIn a ski binding va-baselplate having a toe plate pivotally connected Qthereto, spring means tending to hold said plate yieldinglypressed against the base plate, and means wherebythe'toevplate may-be looked against pivotal movement.

3. Ina ski binding, a-base plate, a pair oit' transverse hinge eyes Carried thereby, a toe plate having a bifureated portion ,provided with aligned hinge eyes to cooperate with said first mentionedhinge eyes, whereby the toe lplatemay beset ineither of two positions, a removable hinge pin for connecting the eyes of lthe toe vplate With the eyes of the base plate, and means carried by thevblase vplate and'engaged by the toe plate for holding the Ilaizter rigid when -th'e toe plate is adjusted to one position, and permitting pivotal lmovement thereof when adjusted to .the otherp'osition.'V

4. In a ski binding, a base plate, a pair of transverse hinge eyes carried thereby, a toe plate having azbifureated portion provided With alinged hinge eyes to cooperate with said irst `mentioned yhingeleyes, whereby the toe plate maybe set'in either two positions, a removablehinge'pin'lfor connecting the eyes 'of the toe Qplate with the eyes o'l thebase Aplatehand: means earriedby the base plate and engagedfby the toe plate for holding the latter rigid when the y*toe plate is adjustedto oneposition and permitting pivotal ,movement thereof ,whenV adusted to V.the .other position, vand spring .means for exerting pressure on the toe plate, Said Spring means .heiss adapted to remov- .ably hold Kthe hinge fpininposition'.

5. Ina ski. binding, a base plate, a pair of vtransverse hinge eyes carried thereby, a toe plate having a bifurcated portion provided with .aligned hingeeyes to cooperate with said first mentioned hinge eyes whereby the toe plate may be setin either of two positions, a A,removable vihinge ,pin for Connecting the eyesof the,` toe plate ywith fthe eyes Of the base plate, Vand Lmeans .carried by lthe base plateA andengagediby lthe Itoe plate for holding the latter .rigid :when the ,toe plate is adjusted .to lonepositien, vand lpermitting pivotal movement thereof when adjusted to thefotherposition, andspring arms extending across thehingepinandzbearing against the upper surface of theitoe plate.

6. :In a ski binding,'a bed platecarrying toebraeket-s, and ,having a relatively narrow portion vprovided with ,a pair of longitudinallyspaced parallel hinge eyes and .having transverse pin projections at `its forward end, y a .toe wplate :having-.a bifurcated forward portion .provided spaced ,aligned ,hinge eyes to seleetivelyncoqperate with the first mentioned hinge eyes, said base plate'having locking lugsltoicooperate Y,withlthe .rear corners of .the toeplate, andspring yarms carried by -said'fpin ojectionsand extending across .the ends of Ithe hinger p-Irand overlying the toe .plate .within ...the -toe irons.

7.' In a ski, a ,runner-,1a itoe plate pivotally connected therewith, ,means for vlocking said toe-platey against any .pivotal movement, and-ua solepeontactmembersecured t0 said toeplatefandprojeoting ,between andzin rear of the .toe firons, and earrying attaching straps.

/Ijnftestimony whereof., :I affixmy signature.

r. amen. 

